Pubdate: Sat, 13 Dec 2008
Source: Portsmouth Daily Times, The (OH)
Copyright: 2008 - The Portsmouth Daily Times
Contact:  http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1746
Author:  G. Sam Piatt, PDT Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

INMATES TALK TO STUDENTS ABOUT DRUGS

GREENUP, Ky. -- An anti-drug program launched recently by the Greenup 
County sheriff and the prosecutor involves a connection between the jail 
cell and the classroom.

"It's hard to fix people once they're broken," said Greenup County Attorney 
Mike Wilson said. "(Greenup County Sheriff Keith Cooper) said we need to 
reach them before they get to that point. That's why we're going into the 
elementary schools."

Wilson and Cooper began their new anti-drug initiative in November at 
Worthington Elementary School. Last week they were in Russell-McDowell 
Intermediate School dealing with fourth- and fifth-grade students. The plan 
is to take it into every elementary school in the county's three school 
districts.

"We're overwhelmed by the drug problem in court," Wilson, who is a 
prosecutor for Greenup, said.

* The key to success of the program has been Greenup County Detention 
Center inmate Tim Kilburn, who talks frankly with students about his life 
of drugs and time in jail.

At Russell-McDowell, he told the assembly of fourth- and fifth-graders that 
he was once a fun-loving youngster just like them, one who family and 
friends enjoyed having around.

But he said that all changed after drugs took over his life. After that, he 
said, the same people treated him like a "poisonous snake" had showed up at 
their door.

Kilburn, 32, described himself as living proof of what prescription drugs 
like Oxycodone, Xanax and Valium can do to anybody.

He insists in coming before the students in his green-and-white striped 
jail uniform and wearing handcuffs and shackles on his ankles. He seemed 
frank and honest during his 45-minute talk to the students, Wilson said.

"The students get real somber and quiet when he walks into the assembly 
wearing cuffs and leg irons. Teachers say they've never seen kids so 
intent," Wilson said. "He's very soft spoken. He's sincere. He has a kid in 
one of the elementary schools himself."

Kilburn had to pause to compose himself as he told the students about 
stealing pain medication that had been prescribed for his dying grandmother.

His addiction was costing him $250 to $300 a day at its peak, he said.

He said his first experience with drugs came at age 14 when he began 
smoking marijuana.

He said he had never inflicted physical pain on anyone as a result of his 
drug addiction, but he said he will always carry the guilt of having caused 
those closest to him so much emotional pain.

Kilburn has been in the county jail for 15 months and has at least a year 
yet to serve. He told students of the good-paying jobs he's lost because of 
drugs. He said he now makes 65 cents a day working with a jail crew on 
highway cleanup.

He said he wants to straighten out his life once he gets out.

"We're trying to help him if he helps us, but he has a load of trouble," 
Wilson said.

Wilson said school administrators have really welcomed the program. "They 
want all the help they can get," he said. 
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